The Top 50 Songs of 1996*: #10-1

In 1996, John Howard became the new Prime Minister of Australia, and the United States won the most gold medals (44) and the most total medals (101) at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.  

#10:

It's All Coming Back To Me Now

Celine Dion

This superstar is one of two artists to place two songs in The Top 10 for 1996*.  This one was written by Jim Steinman.  

#9:

Always Be My Baby

Mariah Carey

When this song went to #1, it tied Mariah Carey with Madonna and Whitney Houston at the time for the most #1 songs by a female artist (11).

#8:

Nobody Knows

Tony Rich Project

This song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance.  It peaked at #2.

#7:

Ironic

Alanis Morissette

Song #7 peaked at #1 in Canada for six weeks and was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video at the Grammy Awards.

#6:

Missing

Everything But The Girl

This British duo hit #1 in Germany, #2 in the United States, Australia and Sweden and #3 in the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland. 

#5:

Macarena

Los Del Rio

Some publications ranked this song not only #1 for the year but #1 of all-time.  This is simply not true, because of a lack of competition.  Although the song has fallen since 1996, it ranks #5 in YouTube views among songs from '96.

#4:

Because You Loved Me

Celine Dion

Super songwriter Diane Warren wrote this one which Celine Dion recorded for the movie Up Close & Personal.  It has sold over two million copies and won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television and was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.  It was also nominated for Best Original Song at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Glove Awards.

#3:

Don't Speak

No Doubt

For 16 weeks, this song was #1 on the Airplay chart.  It was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

#2:

Un-Break My Heart

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton had a huge year in 1996, not only landing at #17 and #19 but also right here at #2.  She also took home the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

#1:

One Sweet Day

Mariah Carey with Bozy II Men

The #1 Song of 1996* not only spent a Rock Era record 16 weeks at #1 in the U.S. but also topped charts in Canada and New Zealand and reached #2 in Australia and the Netherlands, #4 in Ireland, #5 in France and Denmark and #6 in the U.K. and Norway.